Spackled and Spooked by Jennie Bentley is the second book in the “Do-It-Yourself” mystery series.  Publisher: Berkley (Prime Crime), August 2009

Home renovation is never easy, especially when the home’s inhabitants are dead. Avery’s hunky boyfriend and business partner, Derek Ellis, wants to flip a seriously stigmatized ranch house where murder occurred two decades ago. It’s a good thing Avery has more faith in her boyfriend than in ghosts.

Their renovations are quickly interrupted when a presence is felt–and it’s not happy with the new alterations. Could it really be that the property is possessed? If they’re going to flip this house, all the outdated fixtures—including the supernatural squatters—must be disposed of, or else this project will haunt them forever.

Avery and Derek are renovating a “haunted” house when a four-year old skeleton is found. As the cops and Avery try to solve this case, the next door neighbor is murdered in the same manner and the vehicle Avery is driven loses its brakes.  Someone doesn’t want this case solved and will do everything they can to impede the investigation.  This was a fun and entertaining cozy mystery and I had my guess as to who was the murderer and I was right.  My rating: 4 stars

Pseudonym of Bente Gallagher